Calvin Habib and Champion Owners Hollywood Racing could provide bettors with plenty to cheer on Thursday 5 November when an eight-race programme unfolds at TAB Turffontein on the Inside track, where progressive runners and promising handicap debutants offer several attractive betting angles.
Habib has a chance to strike twice in quick succession, with Brett Webber-trained Naretoi a leading contender in Race 4 before the in-form rider partners another improving prospect, Clinton Binda inmate Dreadnought, in the following event.
Naretoi, a five-year-old grey by Danon Platina, has remained admirably consistent since winning over 1800m four starts ago. Despite a five-point rise in his rating, he has finished second, third and second again in subsequent appearances, underlining his competitiveness off the revised mark.
He was particularly game last time over 2400m on the Standside track, racing prominently throughout and staying on under pressure to finish a close-up second. A further two-point penalty is an added complication, and he must now negotiate another 200m, but neither represents an insurmountable obstacle given his recent form. Habib, who takes the reins for the first time, will be hoping to coax further improvement from the gelding, who should again be competitive despite carrying 60kg in a field that lacks obvious depth.
The prospect of a quick race-to-race double becomes more compelling with Dreadnought, whose authoritative maiden victory at TAB Vaal four weeks ago suggests he could be better than his opening handicap mark of 86.
The progressive Gimmethegreenlight colt won over the same distance with enough authority to suggest that his handicap debut could prove a favourable starting point. Still maturing and highly regarded, Binda’s charge has the added advantages of a favourable gate 1 draw and Habib maintaining the partnership. Those factors strengthen the case for a bold showing for Hollywood.
The champion owners have another promising prospect to unleash in Race 6, where Blunderbore makes his handicap debut over 1450m for Mike & Matthew de Kock.
The three-year-old son of Malmoos has improved with each outing, progressing from a debut third over 1200m to a second over this course and distance before producing an emphatic breakthrough victory last time. His 5.10-length success was all the more impressive given that he overcame the widest draw by surging to the front and dictating matters before leaving his rivals with no answer.
Blunderbore now faces a sterner examination from gate 9, but his upward trajectory is difficult to ignore. With just 53kg to shoulder, Jeffrey Syster is likely to adopt similar positive tactics, and if the colt can reproduce the early speed and authority of his latest performance, he could prove difficult to reel in.
Clive Robinson
